Are you planning a Big Island family vacation? Find out where to stay on the Big Island with kids for your perfect Hawaii vacation!
This list of best places to stay on the Big Island with kids was written by Hawaii travel expert Marcie Cheung and contains affiliate links which means if you purchase something from one of my affiliate links, I may earn a small commission that goes back into maintaining this blog.
The island of Hawaii is known as the Big Island, impressively outsizing the other islands of Hawaii by 2x.
It’s no wonder that it’s a destination spot for solo and family vacations alike.
However, its array of options in Big Island places to stay and even beaches on every edge of the island to visit can make planning a vacation difficult.
We’ve explored some of the Best Things to Do on the Big Island With Kids as well as a few top choices for resorts.
Today, we’re diving a bit deeper into hotel options on various areas and beaches of the island of Hawaii. You’ll want to know this if you’re visiting the Big Island with kids.
Keep scrolling to find out where to stay on the Big Island with kids that are totally worth it! And if you’re looking for places for larger groups, check out these incredible Hawaii villas.
These are some of the Big Island best places to stay the entire family will love!
Don’t have time to read a bunch of Hawaii blog posts and reviews? Here are some of our top picks for visiting the Big Island with kids.
Best Kid-Friendly Big Island Tours/Activities
- Swim with Dolphins (this is a unique experience for kids of all ages)
- Private Surf Lessons for Kids (this is the BEST way for your kids to learn how to surf in Hawaii)
- Kona Submarine Tour (my kids love seeing sunken shipwrecks)
- Legends of Hawaii Luau (the is the most popular luau for families)
- Waterfall Ziplining (this is the top kid-friendly zipline on the Big Island for families)
- Kona ATV Tour (we love this one because they also do cultural activities)
Best Kid-Friendly Big Island Resorts
- Hilton Waikoloa Village (this is a mega kid-friendly resort where you can swim with dolphins or just enjoy their massive pool area)
- Courtyard by Marriott’s King Kamehameha Beach Hotel (this is a moderately-priced Kona hotel right on a little lagoon)
- Fairmont Orchid (this is a swanky resort with incredible kids’ programming and an awesome pool area)
Want to Rent a Car in Hawaii?
One of the best places to rent a car in Hawaii is Discount Hawaii Car Rental because they get the best rates from top national companies like Alamo, Dollar, Thrifty, Avis, Enterprise, Budget, and Payless.
Want to skip all the planning and just access my detailed Big Island Itinerary, complete with daily schedules, kid-friendly activities, and travel hacks? Click the button below.
Where to Stay on the Big Island of Hawaii
If you’re heading to the Big Island with kids, you might feel overwhelmed with all the various Big Island resorts. Here are a few of our top recommendations on where to stay on Big Island Hawaii.
From luxury hotels Big Island Hawaii offers to the cheapest hotels in Hilo Hawaii, and even a few hotels near Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, you will find it all here!
These are some of the Big Island Hawaii best places to stay!
Courtyard King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel
The Courtyard King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel is located right at the end of Ali’i Drive in the heart of downtown Kailua-Kona. You can read my full review here.
This is an awesome place to stay in Kona with kids because it’s a beachfront hotel on a small, calm lagoon that is perfect for swimming. Check the latest rates and availability.
There are some on-site restaurants and Ululani Shave Ice, one of the best places for shave ice in Kona.
It’s also just steps away from the pier, where you can experience the Kona Atlantis Submarine or the Kona Glassbottom boat ride.
I truly think it is one of the best places to stay in Kona, Hawaii.
Four Seasons Resort Hualalai
The Four Seasons Resort Hualalai is located on the northwest side of the island of Hawaii, close to the Kukio Golf and Beach Club and only a few blocks away from the ocean. It’s definitely one of the best places to stay in Big Island Hawaii.
This resort is surrounded by black lava landscapes and sandy beaches. Check latest rates and more information.
This is one of the most luxurious places to stay in all of Hawaii and has a multitude of wedding planning and ceremony options, which makes it one of the best places to stay on the Big Island for couples too!
The luxurious resort strives to offer a Hawaiian tradition-inspired stay. This hotel is located in Ka’upulehu, which was once an ancient Hawaiian fishing village. Four Seasons aims to create a welcoming stay that respects the value of land and sea.
The luxury resort also has resources for you to book a snorkeling lesson with a marine biologist in the hotel’s lava rock aquarium. At over 1.8 million gallons large, the aquarium also hosts over 4,000 tropical fish and 98 species of marine life.
It also has 8 different swimming pools, a fitness center, gorgeous beaches nearby, plenty of dining options, and plenty of other luxurious amenities the entire family will love!
The Four Seasons Resort Hualalai is truly one of the best places to stay in Kailua-Kona!
Outrigger Kona Resort & Spa at Keauhou Bay
The Outrigger Kona Resort & Spa (formerly the Sheraton Kona Resort & Spa) at Keauhou Bay is located on the west side of the Big Island. It is another one of the best places to stay Big Island offers. Check latest rates and more information.
On the Kona coast, you’ll be able to view manta ray feeding grounds and gain access to Kona Coffee farms.
The resort boasts a multi-level fantasy pool that is open 24/7. Perfect for kids! Looking to take some of the burdens of planning out of the mix?
Enjoy manta ray viewings, yoga, lei making, hula lessons, and more, all on the Sheraton grounds. With a beautiful view of the Pacific Ocean, you can enjoy oceanfront services and outdoor treatment rooms.
The resort is also home to Rays on the Bay, a restaurant with delicious dining and live entertainment.
The Sheraton Kona Resort & Spa is one of the best places to stay on the Big Island of Hawaii with kids.
Mauna Kea Resort Area
The Mauna Kea Resort area is also spouted as one of the best hotel locations in Hawaii. And it’s home to two of the best hotels in Kona for families.
Located on the northwest side of the island of Hawaii, these resort grounds actually host both the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel and The Westin Hapuna Beach Resort.
While the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel focuses on an elegant, historical feel, the Westin Hapuna Beach Resort strives for a more modern appeal.
The Mauna Kea Beach Hotel prides itself in having a timeless appeal, offering swimming with manta ray experiences, art showcases, and tennis by the sea. Check latest rates and more information about the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel.
The Westin Hapuna Beach Resort stretches across the shoreline and offers lush gardens and four dining venues on-site. Check latest rates and more information about the Westin Hapuna Beach Resort.
The 18-hole Hapuna Golf Course has won numerous awards and is a great place for adults to relax and practice.
No matter the branch you choose, the Mauna Kea Resort Area remains one of the best for easy northern beach access and amenities.
Both are also close to Spencer Beach Park, one of the best beaches on the Hawaiian islands. Both resorts offer some of the best accommodations on the Big Island of Hawaii!
You can also make a day trip to head down to the South Point of the Big Island to see the green sand beach, as well as some black sand beaches the Big Island of Hawaii is known for.
Book a Family Photo Shoot
Whenever we travel to Hawaii, we almost always book a family photo shoot with Flytographer. They are super easy, affordable, AND it guarantees that I’ll be in some photos. You can get $25 off if you book through this link or use the code HAWAIITRAVEL.
The Grand Naniloa Hotel
One of the best places to stay in Hilo, Hawaii, is the Grand Naniloa Hotel. With stunning ocean views, this resort features a central location close to the Hilo Airport and is close to Coconut Island Park.
The Grand Naniloa Hotel is a Hilton property, so if you’re a rewards member, this is a great choice for budget travelers to use or save on points. Check latest rates and more information.
Located on the east side of the island of Hawaii, this hotel is located in Hilo, one of the most populated towns on the island.
This hotel excels in wedding planning, with an on-site gazebo and banquet facilities. Included with the resort fee is a daily snorkel rental for two guests and even two complimentary cocktails for guests of age daily.
While those options might not be the best for kids, the resort is also a 10-minute drive away from Wailuku River State Park. At the state park, you can explore geologic wonders along the Wailuku River.
While the Boiling Pots area of the park contains connected pools, Rainbow Falls is a famous 80-foot waterfall. If you’re lucky, you just might catch that early morning rainbow through the mist.
It is the best hotel to stay in Hilo, Hawaii.
Dolphin Bay Hotel
The Dolphin Bay Hotel is also located on the east side of the island of Hawaii in Hilo. This is a great alternative in the area if you’re looking for a smaller resort with all the comforts. Check latest rates and more information.
This hotel is rated the best small hotel in Hilo; this stay lacks larger attractions such as pools but hosts a beautiful garden full of exotic orchids, plumeria, and more.
Promoting itself as a comfy stay for travelers by day, the Dolphin Bay Hotel remains a great option for those looking to explore more of Hilo’s downtown area over staying inside their resort.
It’s also one of the budget hotels, which can help keep travel with kids on a tighter budget without diminishing the fun.
If you are wondering where to stay on Big Island Hawaii that is more affordable, the Dolphin Bay Hotel us a great choice.
Volcano House in the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
Want to know where to stay on Big Island that isn’t a fancy resort and is totally unique?
The Volcano House resort is located inside the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park on the southeast side of the island. And it’s one of the coolest places to stay on the Big Island with kids. Check latest rates and more information.
Keep in mind that this location is rather in-land compared to beach resorts but offers incomparable proximity to the park and the volcano Kīlauea.
The Hawaii Volcanoes National Park hosts volcanology exhibits and viewpoints. Staying at the Volcano House will give you perfect viewing access to the Halem’a’uma’u crater making it the best area to stay in Big Island Hawaii if you want to be within walking distance of the volcano.
The resort has been renovated, with 33 total historic guest rooms and refurbished camper cabins nearby. You can read my full review HERE.
If the beach isn’t for you, Volcano House is a great location to dig deeper into hiking and outside options in Hawaii without sand between your toes. It’s the best place to stay on Big Island Hawaii if you love outdoor adventures.
If you want to see some of the best black sand beaches on the Big Island and the other Hawaiian islands combined, you are close enough to Punalu’u Black Sand Beach and Pohoiki Beach.
You are truly surrounded by natural beauty here with the black sand beaches, hiking trails, the Lava Tree State Park, and the volcano.
Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort
Located on the west coast, the Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort is another one of the best places to stay in Hawaii Big Island.
This is the best luxury resort with ocean views, spacious rooms, golf courses, a spa, a fitness center, and so much more. Check latest rates and more information.
The Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort has multiple outdoor pools, with a children’s pool that also has a waterslide, making it the lodging on Hawaii Big Island for kids!
You will also be close to some beautiful beaches and tons of dining options. It is also around 30 minutes away from Kona International Airport, so you can easily get to your resort and relax as soon as you arrive.
Hilton Waikoloa Village
For a beachfront hotel, try out the Hilton Waikoloa Village. Here you will find a private beach area to enjoy on one of the white sand beaches on the island. You can rent beach cabanas and even book a beach massage!
At the Hilton Waikoloa Village, you will find multiple swimming pools, including a children’s pool with a waterslide, making it a great luxury hotel to enjoy with kids! Check latest rates and more information.
Other resort amenities include tennis courts, a golf course, 6 on-site restaurants, 2 poolside bars, fitness classes at the fitness center, and more!
You have a wide variety of room choices too. There are private suites that offer spacious rooms and a private outdoor hot tub all to yourself, perfect for a romantic getaway or family trip.
With the private beach and large guest rooms, stay on this side of the island and enjoy all the natural beauty around you. You will find this one of the best beaches on the Big Island by far!
If you are wondering where to stay in Hawaii Big Island, why not try out the Hilton Waikoloa Village!
Royal Kona Resort
If you know you want to stay in Kona to be close to the Kona International Airport but are still wondering exactly where to stay in Kona, Hawaii, you might want to check out the Royal Kona Resort.
This resort is unlike the ones on the other Hawaiian islands because it is on one of the black sand beaches! Check latest rates and more information.
From spacious rooms to an outdoor pool, a hair salon, beach massages, yoga classes, and more, you will love the Royal Kona Resort!
While it doesn’t offer some of the other amenities for families, it still is one of the top resorts the Big Island of Hawaii has to offer!
Fairmont Orchid
Located along the Kohala Coast, Fairmont Orchid is another top choice on where to stay on the Big Island. From yoga classes to multiple tennis courts, there is something for everyone at this luxury hotel!
Enjoy the best white sand beaches and a private beach on the Pacific Ocean all to yourself. Snorkeling, kayaking, and scuba diving are all available here too. Check latest rates and more information.
Get spacious rooms and suites with ocean views, air conditioning, and tons of other amenities you’ll love.
If you want to stay on the Kohala Coast, you will love staying at the Fairmont Orchid on the Big Island of Hawaii.
Mauna Lani, Auberge Resorts Collection
Closeby, you might also want to choose the Mauna Lani, Auberge Resorts Collection for your family vacation. It’s another one of the best family-friendly resorts on the Big Island of Hawaii.
From the sandy beaches outside this luxury hotel to the outdoor pools, you will love your stay here. Check latest rates and more information.
You will find this resort on Big Island’s North-West Coast. Here you will find white sand beaches right outside your room or suite door, perfect for a relaxing day on the beach.
There are also multiple outdoor swimming pools, including a kid’s pool! If you want some time to yourself, check out their full-service spa and get a nice relaxing massage.
The Mauna Lani, Auberge Resorts Collection also offers tons of outdoor activities, from free bike rentals, hiking and biking trails, canoeing, surfing, yoga classes, and so much more; you can fully enjoy your Hawaii trip with these water and outdoor amenities!
Best Place to Stay in Hawaii Big Island with Kids FAQs
Most travel experts will say the best area to stay on the Big Island of Hawaii is the Kona side. That’s because it has most of the resorts and lots of food options. But there’s also the Hilo side if you’re looking for a more laid-back experience. If you are wondering where to stay on Hawaii Big Island, Kona or Hilo are both great choices.
There are lots of things to do in Kona with kids. You can go snorkeling, see the sunrise at Mauna Kea, tour a farm, go in a real submarine, hit the beach, swim with Manta Rays, check out a luau, and so much more!
Absolutely! It’s the best place in Hawaii to see real lava, plus you can walk through lava tubes, go hiking, and all kinds of things. It’s a full-day trip, so you can either drive over from your resort or spend a night or two inside Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. There are plenty of vacation rentals close by that offer some of the best places to stay near Volcano National Park, which will help make your stay on the Big Island worth it.
These are the two best areas to stay on the Big Island, and both are incredible places to explore. The best area to stay in Kona offers luxurious resorts perfect for a dream vacation. Hilo offers some of the best beaches and is another one of the best places to stay on Hawaii Big Island. Read more about where to stay on the Big Island Hawaii: Hilo or Kona?
The Kohala Coast is one of the fanciest Big Island Hawaii places to stay. From the stunning white sand beaches to golf courses, you will love staying in this area. It is considered the best area to stay in Hawaii Big Island for its luxury resorts. The Kohala Coast is great for a romantic getaway or babymoon!
Best Places to Stay on Big Island Wrap-Up
When it comes to choosing a place (or places!) to stay on the Big Island, it’s hard to go wrong.
First, decide which side of the island is a must-visit on your list and narrow your choices down to those with amenities most loved by you and your kids.
Hopefully, this post helps you figure out where to stay Big Island Hawaii. From Big Island Hawaii family resorts to unique accommodations, we have you covered.
For more advice on making this decision, give my article 10 Things to Know BEFORE Planning a Hawaii Big Island Vacation a read.
Looking for more Big Island Travel Resources? Find out what to know before your Big Island vacation, where to find an affordable Kona family photographer, should you rent a pool cabana, the best Big Island luaus, things to do in Kona, and things to do in Hilo!
P.S. Join our Hawaii Travel with Kids Facebook group to get connected with other families planning a trip to Hawaii!